Are You Eligible for the $1,390 Stimulus Payment? Check Eligibility Criteria!

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the US government issued a $1,400 stimulus payment under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide financial relief to millions of people. This amount helped many families with essential expenses like rent, ration, electricity, and water. But do you know that if you have missed this payment, you can still claim it?

In this article, we will know in detail what is the $1,390/$1,400 stimulus payment, who is eligible for it, under what conditions it is available, and if you did not receive this payment, how can you claim it now.

$1,390 Stimulus Payment: What is this payment?

This financial assistance amount of $1,400 was the third round of Economic Impact Payment (EIP), which was released by the US government and IRS (Internal Revenue Service) in March 2021. This payment was part of the American Rescue Plan, which cost about 1.9 trillion in total. Its purpose was to provide economic support to people affected by the pandemic.

Who was eligible for this payment?

1. Income-Based Eligibility

Your eligibility was dependent on your income, which was based on your 2019 or 2020 tax return.

Filing Status	Income Limit for Full Payment	No Payment After This Income
Single Filer	Up to $75,000	No payment after $80,000
Head of Household	Up to $112,500	No payment after $120,000
Married Joint Filing	Up to $150,000	No payment after $160,000

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2. Citizenship and Resident Status

You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien.
You must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN).
Mixed-status families could also be eligible if one partner had an SSN.

3. Eligibility for Dependents

The definition of dependents was expanded this time. It now includes:

Children under 17
College students
Elderly parents or other dependent relatives

An additional $1,400 was also paid for each eligible dependent.

How to get it if you missed a payment?

If you were eligible but didn’t get this payment or didn’t get it in full, you can claim it through the Recovery Rebate Credit. For this, you will have to file a 2021 tax return.

Step-by-step guide:

Gather your tax information – like W-2, 1099, etc.
Check your eligibility – Use IRS guidelines or online tools.
File a 2021 tax return – even if you don’t usually file a return.
Use IRS Free File – This service is free if your income is less than $73,000.
Fill in the Recovery Rebate Credit on Line 30 of Form 1040.
Choose Direct Deposit – This will get you a quicker payment.
Deadline – File this return by April 15, 2025.

$800 Stimulus Checks 2025: Stimulus Check for Everyone? Eligibility & Payment Dates

Some common situations and solutions

Situation 1: Your income was high in 2020 but decreased in 2021
If you were not eligible in 2020 but your income decreased in 2021, you can now claim $1,400 by filing your 2021 tax return.
Situation 2: Birth or adoption of a child in 2021
If you have a child in your family or you adopt one in 2021, he is also eligible. Just show him as a dependent on your 2021 return.
Situation 3: You’re a non-filer
If your income was very low and you didn’t file taxes before, you’re still eligible. Just file your 2021 tax return and claim the payment.

Additional tips and government resources

Use the IRS Get My Payment Tool – it lets you check your status.
Create an IRS Online Account and look up old payment information.
Keep Letter 6475 or Notice 1444-C in your records – it contains information about past payments.

Stimulus Updates Coming Soon

New $1,702 stimulus checks due in April 2025 – payment dates to be announced soon.
New $1,000 stimulus checks due in April 2025 – check eligibility.
A surprise $12,000 stimulus check is also possible – check the government website for more information.

Conclusion

The $1,400 stimulus payment provided relief to millions of people struggling with the pandemic in the US. If you have not received this payment, there is still time. You can claim it through the Recovery Rebate Credit until April 15, 2025. It is important that you gather the correct information, check eligibility, and file your tax return on time.

FAQs

Q1: Can I claim the $1,400 stimulus in 2025?

A1. Yes, but only if you file a 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025, and are eligible.

Q2: Were people receiving Social Security eligible?

A2. Yes, people receiving Social Security, SSDI, SSI, and Veterans Benefits were eligible, even if they didn’t file taxes.

Q3: What if I received less?

A3. You can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return for the difference.

Q4: Is this amount taxable?

A4. No, this amount is not taxable and does not affect your tax refund.

Q5: How do I know if I received this amount?

A5. You can check this information by logging into the IRS website or using Letter 6475.